EPA boss is in Seattle to rally the troops

EPA’s top gun, Steve Johnson, is arriving in Seattle and will address his loyal troops in the morning before inspecting his Navy in the afternoon.

In a note theoretically from the administrator to his gaggle of overworked environmental protectors, Johnson invited the gang from region 10 to his “in-person, informal dialogues” which he is calling “Ask the Administrator.” It doesn’t sound near as warm and cuddly as the chats by Food and Drugs Commissioner Andrew von Eschenbach which he calls “Andy’s Take.”

Nevertheless, added that he appreciates “that EPA’s culture encourages frank and open discussions and I have enjoyed the lively exchanges over the years.”

The OSV Bold

Apparently, he doesn’t want the outside world to see how “lively” the exchanges might be because reporters were told were not welcome to quietly observe the session.

“It’s a private event, said Johnson’s sharper-then-most national spokesman.

Johnson’s note urges his people to write down questions
anonymously and place them in a basket. “I will randomly pull questions out of the basket and answer as many as possible in the time available,” wrote the administrator.

I had coffee this morning with a couple of his lieutenants who wondered who would be screening those questions and would their boss actually answer the actual questions as written.

Two of the questions that I’m told will be asked will discuss whether Johnson will do what some congressmen have requested and resign and, why is it that as the first administrator who has come from within EPA’s own the ranks has done so much damage to the agency’s morale.

We’ll see whether they’re asked and answered.

Later in the afternoon, Johnson and an entourage of politicians will tour the EPA research vessel, OSV BOLD. Unofficial reports have it that the Bold, which has been doing research between Oregon and Alaska for several months has made some interesting discoveries on the environmental problems of region’s water, especially in the Puget Sound area.

I wonder if the scientists aboard the Bold have tracked the sewage flowing from Victoria. It would be interesting to know what the gift from Canada is doing to our water.